Women worldwide to benefit from Avanade sponsored scholarships

Scholarship programme aimed to close gender, technology and income gaps for female university students enrolled in globally-recognised STEM programmes

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Avanade is a leading provider of innovative digital services, business solutions and design-led experiences, delivered through the power of people and the Microsoft ecosystem. Our professionals combine technology, business and industry expertise to build and deploy solutions to realise results for clients and their customers. Avanade has more than 27,000 digitally connected people across 22 countries, bringing clients the best thinking through a collaborative culture that honours diversity and reflects the communities in which we operate. Majority owned by Accenture, Avanade was founded in 2000 by Accenture LLP and Microsoft Corporation. Learn more at www.avanade.com.

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SEATTLE/LONDON – September 15, 2015

A worldwide scholarship programme, ‘15 for 15’, aimed at keeping students enrolled in technology studies with strong Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) programmes has been announced today by Avanade, a leading provider of innovative digital services, business solutions and design-led experiences.

Based on their histories of academic excellence in STEM-related fields, UCL, Cal Poly Pomona and University of Pretoria will be the first universities to take part in Avanade’s ‘15 for 15’ scholarship programme that collectively leverages nearly half a million USD in funding over the course of the programme.

“I am personally committed to ensuring our people and our clients recognise the value of encouraging young women to pursue an education and a career in the IT sector,” Adam Warby, Avanade CEO said. “Students who may not necessarily have otherwise had the opportunity to finish their studies will benefit most greatly from this ongoing scholarship programme.”

Beyond financial support, with ‘15 for 15’, Avanade will support scholarship recipients by providing internships, work experience, mentoring and an alumni network for participants. The initial 15 scholarship beneficiaries will be chosen based on several criterion, with a heavy emphasis on assisting female applicants to complete their university education.

This is the inaugural year of a programme expected to benefit at least 45 students over the next five years. ‘15 for 15’ is also the flagship initiative in Avanade’s new corporate citizenship programme which aims to close the gender, technology and income gaps for women.

Reporting to the executive office, corporate citizenship at Avanade will empower, provide access and upskill women in the communities where the company operates. The ‘15 for 15’ programme, awarding 15 scholarships in recognition of Avanade’s 15 year anniversary, is a first step in achieving these goals and formalising the approach.

“Our learn-by-doing philosophy fits well with the goals of Avanade’s 15 for 15 programme. The hands-on experiences, internships and mentoring our five recipients will receive is as important as the monetary award,” Cal Poly Pomona President Soraya M. Coley said. “We know the true impact of Avanade’s generosity will be realised after graduation when these women make positive changes in their respective STEM fields.”

As one of the most successful technology joint ventures, Avanade is celebrating its 15 year anniversary and the new corporate citizenship focus by giving back to the community. They hope to enhance lives, by providing skills and technology to women for innovation with passion and purpose.